by Angus Dalgleish, The Critic
Our health should come first — not political fads
NHS suppliers are considering quitting the UK market over new changes to Net Zero requirements. Inevitably, this will put NHS patients very much at risk.
I worked in the NHS for over 40 years and I know that the NHS is the institutional equivalent of a dinosaur. It clings to a founding story that, like any good mythology, bears no relevance or influence on its present methods. The days where essential care was prioritised above all else have long passed. Bevan would not recognise the modern day Frankenstein’s monster from his vision.
It is beholden to ideology and virtue signalling no matter the cost to patient care. I have looked at the requirements for suppliers to comply with the NHS’s Net Zero rules so they can continue to be an NHS supplier.
The requirements are farcical. Firstly, for major suppliers, they must report on every facet of their supply chain’s emissions and “green” policies, no matter the commercial sensitivities or inability of the NHS to verify. I cannot be the only one who thinks such requirements will be exploited by unscrupulous companies that will provide low quality equipment while forging their “green” credentials.
The full list of restrictions and recriminations feels endless. The crowning jewel of the bizarre and self-destructive changes is the ludicrous claim that the new rules will save money. How so much extra work and costs for businesses will save money in costs for the NHS is the sort of “reality” that all too many peddle within the health service’s leadership.
Sadly, it is the same for every recent left wing political fad that has popped up in the UK. If it is “progressive” and “modern” the NHS will embrace it to its fullest extent. For example, in spite of the law and the Equality commission they continue to let anyone use women’s toilets.
DEI has meant that staff are being hired on despite being woefully incapable or unqualified.